Academic Courses

The School of Engineering at SPSU offers a course of studies leading to a minor in
Nuclear Engineering. The program is offered through the Systems and Mechanical Engineering
Department. The purpose of the program is to educate the participating students with
the fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Energy Conversion and Radiation Detection
and Protection. Graduates can seek career opportunities in the nuclear industry or
pursue graduate studies in Nuclear Engineering. The Nuclear curriculum consists of
a minimum of 18 credit hours and to receive the minor degree, students must pass 15
credit hours. Course offerings range from an introduction to nuclear engineering to
more advanced topics in the field. The program is structured so that students receive
a broad exposure to the principles of Nuclear and Radiological Engineering and learn
how this technology is applied within the field of Nuclear Power Generation and other
related industries.

To be eligible for the program, students must be in their sophomore year and have
completed certain prerequisite course requirements. Descriptions of the courses and
a course flowchart are listed below. For information about the availability of scholarships
and required qualifications please click here. Interested students should contact the Center for Nuclear Studies at 678-915-5531
to answer any questions you may have.

The detection and measurement of radiation is an integral component of the nuclear
sciences field. This course covers the sources and properties of nuclear radiation,
mechanism of radiation interaction with matter, detection methods and in particular
detection of ionizing radiation that are of primary interest in nuclear power generation
as well as medical and industrial applications. Various types of radiation detectors,
neutron detection techniques and counting statistics are also discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Understand radiation interaction and detection methods.

Learn the design principles of different radiation detectors and how they work.

Understand neutron interaction and detection methods.

Understand the statistical nature of radiation measurement and the statistics of radiation
counting.

This course covers the principles of nuclear energy conversion to electric power.
The content of the course includes: fundamentals of energy conversion, fission reactors,
design and construction of light water reactors with emphasis on boiling water and
pressurized water reactors, gas cooled reactors, fast breeder reactors, thermal and
structural analysis of reactors and plant components, safety elements and accident
prevention systems. The economic feasibility of nuclear power plants will also be
discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the fundamentals of nuclear power generation.

Learn about various types of reactors, their designs and operational characteristics.

Understand the concept and design of light water reactors.

Learn the fundamental designs of Boiling Water Reactors (BWR's), their characteristics,
operational aspects, control elements and stability.

Become familiar with the major components of the BWR reactors including the coolant
system, power generation elements and control systems.

Learn the design principles of Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR's), their primary and
secondary loops, steam generators and reactor control systems.

Understand the functional aspects of PWR's, steady state operation, transients, reactivity
and power control, emergency systems and associated procedures.

Become familiar with the operational aspects of different PWR and BWR reactor designs.

Understand the economics of nuclear power generation and be able to perform feasibility
analyses for nuclear power generation.

This course covers the fundamentals of individual and population health protection
against the harmful effects of radiation. Topics included are: different sources of
radiation, interaction of radiation with matter, radiation exposure principles and
measurement, relationship between radiation exposure and biological damage, radiation
protection and safety standards and guidelines, radiation protection instrumentation,
internal and external radiation protection, pathways of radiation movement in the
environment, and radiation shielding.

The feasibility and operation of nuclear power plants is directly influenced by the
availability of suitable nuclear fuel as well as acceptable methods of disposal of
nuclear waste. This course covers the progression of the nuclear fuel through different
stages of mining, milling, processing, enrichment, fabrication and use in reactors,
interim storage, reprocessing and disposal. The environmental impact of nuclear waste,
economics of the nuclear fuel cycle, challenges and solutions in the management of
radioactive waste and the prevailing regulations, standards and best practices are
discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the complete nuclear fuel cycle form mining to disposal.

Learn the techniques in mining and processing of nuclear fuel.

Understand the requirements for various enrichment levels and methods for achieving
such enrichments.

Understand the production and management of nuclear waste in nuclear power plants
and industrial use.

Learn the applications and methods of nuclear waste reprocessing, its advantages and
disadvantages.

Understand the complexities and challenges involved in the long term storage and disposal
of nuclear waste material.